Retrofit remote control devices

ABSTRACT

Remote control devices may control electrical loads and/or load control devices of a load control system without accessing electrical wiring. The remote control device may be mounted over a mechanical switch that is installed in a multi-gang wallbox adjacent to a second electrical device, such as another mechanical switch or an electrical receptacle. The second electrical device may be recessed with respect to the remote control device and may be brought forward towards a front surface of the adapter by loosening a first set of screws that attach a yoke of the second electrical device to the multi-gang wallbox, and tightening a second set of screws that attach the adapter to the yoke of the second electrical device. The remote control device may comprise one or more configurable attachment members for attaching the adapter to the yoke of the mechanical switch and/or to the yoke of the second electrical device.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. Non-Provisional applicationSer. No. 15/469,079, filed Mar. 24, 2017, and claims the benefit ofprovisional U.S. patent application No. 62/312,863, filed Mar. 24, 2016,the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in itsentirety.

BACKGROUND

During the installation of typical load control systems, standardmechanical switches, such as traditional toggle switches or decoratorpaddle switches, may be replaced by more advanced load control devices,such as dimmer switches, that control the amount of power delivered froman alternating current (AC) power source to one or more electricalloads. Such an installation procedure typically requires that theexisting mechanical switch be disconnected from the electrical wiringand removed from a wallbox in which it is mounted, and that the loadcontrol device then be connected to the electrical wiring and installedin the wallbox. An average consumer may not feel comfortable performingthe electrical wiring required in such an installation. Accordingly,such a procedure may typically be performed by an electrical contractoror other skilled installer. However, hiring an electrical contractor maybe cost prohibitive to the average consumer.

Additionally, a lighting control system for which additional remotecontrol is desired may include one or more “smart” devices, such assmart bulbs, that are already installed in the lighting control system.Such smart devices may be installed in receptacles that are controlledby a wall-mounted switch. However, when the wall-mounted switch isoperated to an off position, power to the existing smart devices may becut, such that they no longer respond to commands from remote controldevices. Accordingly, it is desirable to prevent operation of such awall-mounted switch to ensure that the delivery of power to existingsmart devices in the lighting control system continues uninterrupted.

SUMMARY

As described herein, example remote control devices may provide simpleretrofit solutions for existing switched control systems. Implementationof the remote control devices, for example in existing switched controlsystems, may enable energy savings and/or advanced control features, forexample without requiring any electrical re-wiring and/or withoutrequiring the replacement of any existing mechanical switches.

The remote control devices may be configured to control one or moreelectrical loads, such as lighting loads, and/or load control devices.The remote control devices may be configured to be mounted over therespective actuators of existing mechanical switches that, for example,may control whether power is delivered to the one or more electricalloads. The remote control devices may be configured to control one ormore load control devices of a load control system without requiringaccess to the electrical wiring of the load control system. One or moreelectrical loads may be electrically connected to a load control devicesuch that the load control device may control an amount of powerdelivered to the one or more electrical loads. The control unit of eachremote control device may be configured to transmit one or more commandsfor controlling the electrical loads via wireless communication.

The remote control devices may be configured to maintain the actuatorsof mechanical switches over which they are installed in respective onpositions, such that users of the remote control devices are not able tomistakenly switch the actuators to the off position, which may cause oneor more electrical load to be unpowered such that the one or moreelectrical loads cannot be controlled by one or more remote controldevices. The remote control device may be configured to control multipletypes of electrical loads on a single electrical circuit, for instancesubstantially in unison. A load control system may include multipleremote control devices that are configured to provide individual, suchas zoned control of each of a plurality of electrical loads coupled to asingle electrical circuit.

Each remote control device may include an adapter that is configured tobe attached to the respective yokes of one or more installed mechanicalswitches, a control unit that is configured to be removably attached tothe adapter, and a faceplate that is also configured to be removablyattached to the adapter. One or more of the adapter, the control unit,and the faceplate of each remote control device may be configured so asto be staggered relative to a surface of a structure to which the one ormore mechanical switches are installed, such as a wallboard surface thatsurrounds a wallbox in which the one or more mechanical switches areinstalled.

In an example installation process, the remote control device may beinstalled by: (1) removing a switch plate from a mechanical switch thatis installed in a single-gang wallbox; (2) attaching an adapter of theremote control device to a yoke of the mechanical switch; (3) attachinga control unit of the remote control device to the adapter; and (4)attaching a faceplate of the remote control device to the adapter,wherein the faceplate defines an opening through which a portion of thecontrol unit is received as the faceplate is attached to the adapter.

The remote control device may be mounted over a mechanical switch thatis installed in a multi-gang wallbox adjacent to a second electricaldevice, such as another mechanical switch or an electrical receptacle.The remote control device may include an adapter that may define firstand second openings and may be attached to a yoke of the mechanicalswitch over which the remote control is mounted. The first opening maybe configured to surround a bezel of the mechanical switch and thesecond opening may be configured to surround a portion of the secondelectrical device. When the remote control device is mounted over themechanical switch, the second electrical device may be recessed withrespect to the remote control device. The second electrical device maybe brought forward towards a front surface of the adapter by loosening afirst set of screws that attach a yoke of the second electrical deviceto the multi-gang wallbox, and tightening a second set of screws thatattach the adapter to the yoke of the second electrical device, suchthat the yoke of the second electrical device is drawn outward from themulti-gang wallbox.

The remote control device may comprise one or more attachment membersfor attaching the adapter to the yoke of the mechanical switch and/orthe yoke of the second electrical device. The attachment members may beconfigured to be attached to the adapter in multiple orientations toallow different types of devices (e.g., different types of toggleswitches, such as traditional toggle switches or decorator paddleswitches, and/or different types of electrical receptacles) to beconnected to the adapter and mounted next to the mechanical switch overwhich the remote control is mounted. In addition, the remote controldevice may be configured to be mounted to the attachment members.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an example remote control device.

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the example remote control deviceillustrated in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3A is an exploded rear perspective view of a control unit componentof the example remote control device illustrated in FIG. 2.

FIG. 3B is an exploded front perspective view of the control unitcontrol unit component of the example remote control device illustratedin FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a rear perspective view of the control unit componentillustrated in FIGS. 3A and 3B, in an assembled configuration.

FIG. 5 is a front perspective view of an adapter component and thecontrol unit component of the example remote control device illustratedin FIG. 2.

FIG. 6 is a rear perspective view of a faceplate component of theexample remote control device illustrated in FIG. 2.

FIG. 7A is a front view of the example remote control device illustratedin FIG. 1.

FIG. 7B is a side view of the example remote control device illustratedin FIG. 1.

FIG. 7C is a top view of the example remote control device illustratedin FIG. 1.

FIG. 8 is a side section view of the example remote control deviceillustrated in FIG. 1.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of another example remote control device.

FIG. 10A is a front perspective view of an adapter component and acontrol unit component of the example remote control device illustratedin FIG. 9.

FIG. 10B is a front view of the adapter and control unit components ofthe example remote control device illustrated in FIG. 9.

FIG. 10C is a side section view of the example remote control deviceillustrated in FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of still another example remote controldevice.

FIG. 12 is an exploded view of the example remote control deviceillustrated in

FIG. 11.

FIG. 13A is a front view of the example remote control deviceillustrated in FIG. 11.

FIG. 13B is a side view of the example remote control device illustratedin FIG. 11.

FIG. 13C is a top view of the example remote control device illustratedin FIG. 11.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of still another example remote controldevice.

FIG. 15 is an exploded view of the example remote control deviceillustrated in FIG. 14.

FIG. 16 is a front perspective view of an adapter component of theexample remote control device illustrated in FIG. 15.

FIG. 17 is a rear perspective view of a faceplate component of theexample remote control device illustrated in FIG. 15.

FIG. 18 is a front perspective view of the adapter component illustratedin FIG. 16, with a control unit component of the example remote controldevice illustrated in FIG. 15 attached thereto.

FIG. 19A is a front view of the example remote control deviceillustrated in FIG. 14.

FIG. 19B is a side view of the example remote control device illustratedin FIG. 14.

FIG. 19C is a top view of the example remote control device illustratedin FIG. 14.

FIG. 20 is a top section view of the example remote control deviceillustrated in FIG. 14.

FIG. 21 is a perspective view of still another example remote controldevice.

FIG. 22 is an exploded view of the example remote control deviceillustrated in

FIG. 21.

FIG. 23A is a front perspective view of an attachment member componentof the example remote control device illustrated in FIG. 22.

FIG. 23B is a rear perspective view of an attachment member component ofthe example remote control device illustrated in FIG. 22.

FIG. 24 is a front perspective view of an adapter component of theexample remote control device illustrated in FIG. 22.

FIG. 25 is a front perspective view of the adapter component of theexample remote control device illustrated in FIG. 24, with a pluralityof the attachment member components illustrated in FIGS. 23A-23Binstalled therein.

FIGS. 26A and 26B are front perspective views of the adapter componentillustrated in FIG. 25, with a control unit component of the exampleremote control device illustrated in FIG. 22 attached thereto.

FIG. 27A is a front view of the example remote control deviceillustrated in FIG. 21.

FIG. 27B is a side view of the example remote control device illustratedin FIG. 21.

FIG. 27C is a top view of the example remote control device illustratedin FIG. 21.

FIG. 28 is a top section view of the example remote control deviceillustrated in FIG. 21.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIGS. 1 and 2 depict an example remote control device 100 that may beinstalled in a load control system, such as a lighting control system.The load control system may include a mechanical switch 170 that may bein place prior to installation of the remote control device 100, forexample pre-existing in the load control system. As shown, themechanical switch 170 may be a standard decorator paddle switch. Theload control system may further include one or more electrical loads,such as lighting loads. The mechanical switch 170 may be coupled inseries electrical connection between an alternating current (AC) powersource and the one or more electrical loads. The mechanical switch 170may include an actuator 172 that may be actuated to turn on and/or turnoff, the one or more electrical loads. The mechanical switch 170 mayinclude a yoke 174 that enables mounting of the mechanical switch 170 toa structure. For example, the yoke 174 may be fastened to a single-gangwallbox that is installed in an opening of a wall.

The load control system may further include a load control device thatis electrically connected to the one or more electrical loads. The loadcontrol device may include a load control circuit for controlling theintensity of one or more of the electrical loads between a low endintensity (e.g., approximately 1%) and a high-end intensity (e.g.,approximately 100%), and may include a wireless communication circuit.In an example implementation, the load control device may be astandalone dimmer switch that is electrically connected to the one ormore electrical loads. In another example implementation, each of theone more electrical loads may include a respective integrated loadcontrol circuit and wireless communication circuit, such that eachelectrical load includes a corresponding load control device that isconfigured for wireless communication. It should be appreciated that theload control system is not limited to the example load control devicesdescribed herein.

As shown, the example remote control device 100 may include an adapter110, a control unit 130, and a faceplate 160. Prior to installation ofthe remote control device 100, a pre-existing faceplate (not shown) maybe removed from the mechanical switch 170, for instance by removingfaceplate screws (not shown) from corresponding faceplate screw holes176 in the yoke 174. The adapter 110 may be made of any suitablematerial, such as plastic. The adapter 110 may be configured to beattached to the yoke 174 of the mechanical switch 170. For example, theadapter 110 may be secured to the yoke 174 using fasteners, such asscrews 111 that are received through openings 113 in the adapter 110 andinstalled into the faceplate screw holes 176 in the yoke 174. As shown,the adapter 110 may define an opening 112 that extends therethrough. Theopening 112 may be configured to receive a portion of the mechanicalswitch 170 that may include, for example, the actuator 172 and a bezel173 that surrounds a perimeter of the actuator 172. The adapter 110 maydefine a rear surface 114 that is configured to abut a surface of astructure to which the mechanical switch 170 is installed, such as awallboard surface that surrounds a wallbox in which the mechanicalswitch 170 is installed.

The adapter 110 may be configured to enable removable attachment of thecontrol unit 130 to the adapter 110. For example, the adapter 110 maydefine one or more attachment members that are configured to engage withcomplementary features of the control unit 130. As shown, the adapter110 may define one or more resilient snap fit connectors 116 that areconfigured to engage with complementary features of the control unit130. The adapter 110 may be configured to enable removable attachment ofthe faceplate 160 to the adapter 110. For example, the adapter 110 maydefine one or more attachment members that are configured to engage withcomplementary features of the faceplate 160. As shown, the adapter 110may define one or more resilient snap fit connectors 118 that areconfigured to engage with complementary features of the faceplate 160.

The faceplate may define a front surface 161 and an opposed rear surface163. The front surface 161 may alternatively be referred to as an outersurface of the faceplate 160, and the rear surface 163 may alternativelybe referred to as an inner surface of the faceplate 160. The faceplate160 may define an opening 162 therethrough that is configured to receivea portion of the control unit 130, such that the control unit 130protrudes proud of the faceplate 160 when the remote control device 100is in an assembled configuration. As shown, the faceplate 160 may definerecessed ledges 164 that are configured to engage with correspondingones of the snap fit connectors 118 of the adapter 110, to releasablyattach the faceplate 160 to the adapter 110. The faceplate 160 may bemade of any suitable material, such as plastic.

As shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the control unit 130 may include a cover132, an insert 134 that is configured to be received in the cover 132,and a flexible circuit board 136 that may be configured to be wrappedaround a portion of the insert 134. The cover 132 and the insert 134 maybe made of any suitable material, such as plastic. The illustratedcontrol unit 130 is rectangular in shape and is elongate between a firstend 131 and an opposed second end 133. It should be appreciated that thecontrol unit 130 is not limited to the illustrated rectangular geometry,and that control unit may alternatively be configured with othersuitable geometries. In accordance with the illustrated orientation ofthe control unit 130, the first end 131 may be referred to as an upperend of the control unit 130 and the second end 133 may be referred to asa lower end of the control unit 130. The first and second ends 131, 133of the control unit 130 may also be referred to as first and second endsof the cover 132, respectively. The cover 132 may define a void 138 thatis configured to receive the insert 134 with the flexible circuit board136 wrapped around the insert 134 in an attached position. The cover 132may define an inner surface 142 and an opposed outer surface 144. Theouter surface 144 of the cover 132 may alternatively be referred to as afront surface of the cover 132, and more generally as an outer surfaceof the control unit 130.

The control unit 130 may define a capacitive touch user interface thatis configured to receive inputs, such as gestures, from a user of theremote control device 100. For example, the flexible circuit board 136may include one or more capacitive touch regions, or surfaces. As shown,the flexible circuit board 136 includes a linear capacitive touchsurface 140 that faces the inner surface 142 of the cover 132 when theflexible circuit board 136 is wrapped around the insert 134 and disposedin the void 138. The capacitive touch surface 140 may be configured todetect touches along an x axis, a y axis, or both an x and y axis.

The control unit 130 may further include a control circuit (not shown)and a wireless communication circuit (not shown). The control circuitand the wireless communication circuit may be mounted to the flexiblecircuit board 136, for example. The control circuit may be in electricalcommunication with the capacitive touch surface 140, and the wirelesscommunication circuit may be in electrical communication with thecontrol circuit. The flexible circuit board 136 may be configured towrap around the insert 134 such that the capacitive touch surface 140 isspaced from the control circuit, the wireless communication circuit,and/or other “noisy” circuitry of the flexible circuit board 136 along adirection that extends perpendicular to the outer surface 144 of thecover 132. This may improve operational efficiency of the capacitivetouch surface 140.

The control unit 130 may be configured to translate one or more inputsapplied via the capacitive touch surface 140 into respective controlsignals that may be used to control a load control device of a loadcontrol system. For example, the control circuit may be configured toreceive signals from the capacitive touch surface 140 that correspond toinputs, such as gestures, applied to the capacitive touch surface 140 bya user of the remote control device 100. The control circuit may beconfigured to interpret the signals into commands that the user desiresthe control unit 130 to cause to be executed.

The control circuit may be configured to recognize a plurality ofsignals received from the capacitive touch surface 140 that correspondto user inputs or gestures applied via the capacitive touch surface 140.The control unit 130 may be configured to provide a visual indicationassociated with inputs and/or gestures received by the capacitive touchsurface 140. For example, as shown, the control unit 130 may furtherinclude a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) 146 that areconfigured to provide the visual indication. In accordance with theillustrated control unit 130, the plurality of LEDs 146 are arranged ina linear array that extends between the first and second ends 131, 133of the control unit 130, and may be attached to the flexible circuitboard 136 approximate to an outer edge thereof. The cover 132 may definean opening that allows light from one or more of the LEDs 146 to beemitted outward from an interior of the cover 132. For example, asshown, the cover 132 defines a narrow slot 148 that extends between thefirst and second ends 131, 133 of the cover 132. The cover 132 mayinclude a light bar 149 that is disposed in the slot 148. The capacitivetouch surface 140 may define a gap 141, for example approximately midwaybetween opposed sides of the flexible circuit board 136 or near a sidethereof. The control unit may further include a light guide 150 that maybe configured to diffuse light emitted from the LEDs 146 through the gap141 at respective locations along the slot 148. The light guide 150 maycomprise light guide film, for example. It should be appreciated thatthe control unit 130 is not limited to the illustrated array of LEDs 146and/or the illustrated geometry of the slot 148.

The control circuit may be configured to recognize a plurality ofsignals received from the capacitive touch surface 140 that correspondto user inputs or gestures applied via the capacitive touch surface 140.For example, the control circuit may receive a signal indicative of a“touch” or “tap” gesture applied at a specific location on thecapacitive touch surface 140. The control circuit may be configured tointerpret a signal corresponding to such a gesture as a command for anassociated load control device to “go to” a desired dimming level (e.g.,a desired intensity level), such as a command for a lighting load of aload control system to go to a desired dimming level, where the desireddimming level is dependent upon a location on the capacitive touchsurface 140, such as a position along the light bar 149, at which thepoke gesture is applied.

In another example, the control circuit may receive a signal indicativeof a “swipe” gesture applied along a specific region of the capacitivetouch surface 140. The control circuit may be configured to interpret asignal corresponding to a swipe in an upward direction as a command fora lighting load to go to a full intensity dimming level (e.g., ahigh-end intensity), and may be configured to interpret a signalcorresponding to a swipe in a downward direction as a command for thelighting load to go to a minimal dimming level (e.g., a low-endintensity, such as 1% or off).

In still another example, the control circuit may receive a signalindicative of a “smack” gesture applied to the capacitive touch surface140. A “smack” gesture may, may for example, comprise touching ortapping the capacitive touch surface 140 (e.g., using multiple fingerssimultaneously) such that contact is made to a larger area of thecapacitive touch surface 140 than would be contacted during a “touch” or“tap” by a single finger. The control circuit may be configured tointerpret a signal corresponding to such a gesture as a command totoggle a state of the lighting load, for example from on to off or fromoff to on.

In still another example, the control circuit may receive a signalindicative of a “relative” gesture applied to the capacitive touchsurface 140, such as a touch by two fingers that are spaced apart, atwo-finger “pinch” gesture (e.g., fingers moving together), a two-finger“open” gesture (e.g., fingers moving apart), or the like. The controlcircuit may be configured to interpret a signal corresponding to such agesture as a command to incrementally increase or decrease a currentdimming level of one or more lighting loads, for example bycorresponding predetermined amounts. For example, such a gesture maycause multiple lighting loads that are configured to be controlled bythe remote control device 100 to raise or lower their respectiveintensities, such that an aggregate amount of light (e.g., within aspace) may be changed, while allowing the multiple lighting loads tomaintain respective power levels that are different from one another.

In an illustrative example of using a relative gesture, the remotecontrol device 100 may be associated with first and second dimmablelighting loads in a load control system. The first lighting load may beoff, and the second lighting load may be powered at approximately 50%intensity. In a first scenario, if the control circuit receives a“touch” or “tap” gesture applied at a specific location on thecapacitive touch surface 140 that corresponds to 25% intensity, thecontrol circuit may cause the wireless communication circuit to transmitone or more commands that cause the second lighting load to dim directlyto 25% intensity, and that cause the first lighting load to turn ondirectly to 25% intensity. In an alternative second scenario, if thecontrol circuit instead receives a “relative” gesture applied via thecapacitive touch surface 140, the gesture indicative of a gradualdimming adjustment, the control circuit may issue one or more commandsthat cause the second lighting load to slowly dim down to an intensitythat matches the lighting level desired by the user, while leaving thefirst lighting load in an off state.

The control circuit may be configured to associate particular usergestures with predetermined scenes, such as predefined lighting scenesfor example. The control circuit may be configured to enable one or moreof user-programmable, reprogrammable, and custom gestures. Gestures maybe applied to the capacitive touch surface 140, for example, via directcontact with the outer surface 144 of the cover 132, via proximity ofanatomy to the outer surface 144 of the cover 132, or otherwise. Thecontrol circuit may be configured to associate particular user gestureswith predetermined scenes, such as predefined lighting scenes forexample. The control circuit may be configured to enable one or more ofuser-programmable, reprogrammable, and custom gestures. Gestures may beapplied to the capacitive touch surface 140, for example, via directcontact with the outer surface 144 of the cover 132, via proximity ofanatomy to the outer surface 144 of the cover 132, or otherwise.

It should be appreciated that the control circuit is not limited tointerpreting signals associated with the above-described examplegestures, and that the control circuit may be alternatively configuredto interpret signals associated with more, fewer, or different gesturesas desired. As shown, the capacitive touch surface 140 defines onelinear column (e.g., a one-dimensional column) that may provide a Y-axisoutput. However, it should further be appreciated that the control unit130 is not limited to the illustrated capacitive touch surface 140. Forexample, the capacitive touch surface 140 may alternatively define, forexample, two, three, or more linear columns that may provide respectiveY-axis outputs, one or more linear rows that provide respective X-axisoutputs, or any combination thereof. The capacitive touch surface 140may also be, for example, a two-dimensional touch element having bothX-axis and Y-axis outputs. Such alternative implementations may enablethe remote control device to control multiple electrical loads from thecontrol unit 130. For example, gestures applied to a first capacitivetouch column may cause commands to be issued to a first lighting loadassociated with the first capacitive touch column, gestures applied to asecond capacitive touch column may cause commands to be issued to asecond lighting load associated with the second capacitive touch column,and gestures applied simultaneously to both the first and secondcapacitive touch columns may cause a command to be issued to both thefirst and second lighting loads.

The cover 132, the capacitive touch surface 140, the plurality of LEDs146, and the slot 148 may cooperate with one another to define acapacitive touch interface of the control unit 130, and more generallyof the remote control device 100. The capacitive touch interface may beconfigured to provide a visual indication of a command issued by theremote control device 100.

For example, the capacitive touch interface may be configured to, uponreceiving a gesture indicative of a command to change an amount of powerdelivered to an electrical load, such as a command to dim a lightingload of a lighting control system, indicate the amount of powerdelivered to the electrical load by temporarily illuminating a number ofthe plurality of LEDs 146 that corresponds with the desired amount ofpower (e.g., the desired dimming level of the lighting load). In such anexample, the control circuit may be configured to cause the LEDs 146 tobe illuminated simultaneously, to illuminate sequentially with some orlittle overlap before fading, or to otherwise illuminate as desired.

The control unit 130 may be configured to be attached to the adapter 110in multiple orientations, for example in accordance with a position ofthe actuator 172 of the mechanical switch 170. For example, the insert134 may be configured to, when received in the void 138 in the cover132, define a recess 152 (e.g., as shown in FIGS. 4 and 8) that isconfigured to receive a portion of the actuator 172 of the mechanicalswitch 170 when the control unit 130 is attached to the adapter 110. Asshown, the insert 134 may define a sloped surface 154 that at leastpartially defines the recess 152. When the control unit 130 is attachedto the adapter 110, the control unit 130 may be oriented such that therecess 152 is positioned over, and receives, a portion of the actuator172 that protrudes from the mechanical switch 170. To illustrate, if theactuator 172 is in a first position, such that the lower portion of theactuator 172 protrudes, the control unit 130 may be oriented such thatthe recess 152 is positioned to receive the lower portion of theactuator 172. Alternatively, if the actuator 172 is in a secondposition, such that the upper portion of the actuator 172 protrudes, thecontrol unit 130 may be oriented such that the recess 152 is positionedto receive the upper portion of the actuator 172. In this regard, thecontrol unit 130 may be configured to be attached to the adapter 110 inat least first and second orientations. As shown, the cover 132 of thecontrol unit 130 may define slots 156 that are configured to receive andengage with corresponding ones of the snap fit connectors 116 of theadapter 110, to releasably attach the control unit 130 to the adapter110. FIG. 5 illustrates the adapter 110 with the control unit 130attached thereto.

The control unit 130 may be configured to determine an orientation ofthe control unit 130 relative to the adapter 110. For example, theillustrated control unit 130 may be configured to determine whether thecontrol unit 130 is attached to the adapter 110 in a first orientationin which the recess 152 is located closer to a lower end of the adapter110, or is attached to the adapter 110 in a second orientation in whichthe recess 152 is located closer to an upper end of the adapter 110. Asshown, the flexible circuit board 136 may define an electrical contactpad 158 that is configured to be received in a recess 135 defined by thecover 132, such that the electrical contact pad 158 is exposed. As shownin FIG. 6, the faceplate 160 may include a shorting member 166 that islocated along a lower edge of the opening 162. The faceplate 160 maydefine one or more markings (not shown) to ensure proper orientation ofthe faceplate 160, and thus the shorting member 166, when attaching thefaceplate 160 to the adapter 110. The control circuit of the controlunit 130 may be configured to determine whether the control unit 130 isin the first or second orientation based upon whether or not theshorting member 166 is placed into electrical communication with theelectrical contact pad 158 when the faceplate 160 is attached to theadapter 110. In this regard, the control unit 130 may be configured todetermine an orientation of the control unit 130 relative to thefaceplate 160, and thereby an orientation of the control unit 130relative to the adapter 110.

The control circuit may use determination of the orientation of thecontrol unit 130 relative to the faceplate 160 and the adapter 110 todetermine which end of the array of LEDs 146 should correspond to ahigh-end intensity (e.g., approximately 100% intensity) and which end ofthe array of LEDs 146 should correspond to a low-end intensity (e.g.,approximately 1% intensity), for example when displaying an indicationof the amount of power delivered to an electrical load. The control unit130 may be configured to, based on the determination of orientation,illuminate one or more of the LEDs 146 such that the high-end intensitycorresponds to an upper end of the LED array and such that the low-endintensity corresponds to a lower end of the LED array. In this regard,the control unit 130 may ensure proper indication of the high-end andlow-end intensities via the LEDs 146 regardless of whether the controlunit 130 is mounted to the adapter 110 in the first orientation or thesecond orientation (e.g., based on whether the on position of themechanical switch 170 corresponds to the actuator 172 operated to the upposition or to the down position).

It should be appreciated that the control unit 130 is not limited todetermining an orientation of the control unit 130 via the electricalcontact pad 158 and shorting member 166. For example, the control unitmay alternatively include and/or receive orientation information from,for example, a switch that is manually operated to indicate orientationof the control unit, a gravity switch, a gyroscope, an accelerometer, orthe like to determine an orientation of the control unit. Alternativelystill, an orientation of the control unit may be specified during aconfiguration process of the control unit, for instance when pairing theremote control device to load control system.

The control circuit may be configured to cause the wirelesscommunication circuit to transmit respective commands that correspond tointerpreted gestures received at the capacitive touch surface 140. Forexample, the remote control device 100 may be operable to transmitwireless signals, for example radio frequency (RF) signals, to a loadcontrol device, one or more electrical loads, and/or a central processorof a load control system. The remote control device 100 may beassociated with the load control device and the one or more electricalloads during a configuration procedure of the load control system. Anexample of a configuration procedure for associating a remote controldevice with a load control device is described in greater detail incommonly-assigned U.S. Patent Publication No. 2008/0111491, publishedMay 15, 2008, entitled “Radio-Frequency Lighting Control System,” theentire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

The control unit 130 may include an occupancy sensor that may detectwhen a space in which the remote control device 100 is installed becomesoccupied or vacant, and may include an occupancy circuit that is inelectrical communication with the occupancy sensor and the controlcircuit. The control circuit may be configured to cause the wirelesscommunication circuit to transmit respective commands to one or moreelectrical loads in accordance with information (e.g., signals) receivedfrom the occupancy circuit.

The illustrated control unit 130 may be battery-powered. For example, asshown, the insert 134 may define a battery compartment 137 that isconfigured to retain a battery, for instance the illustrated coin cellbattery 180, such that the battery is placed in electrical communicationwith the flexible circuit board 136, for instance to power thecapacitive touch surface 140, the control circuit, the wirelesscommunication circuit, and/or other circuitry of the control unit 130.Alternatively, the control unit 130 may be configured to derive powerfrom a power source connected to the mechanical switch 170, such assource of AC power for example. The faceplate 160 may be configured tostore one or more spare batteries 180, for example in a void definedbetween an inner surface of the faceplate 160 and the adapter 110.

Referring now to FIGS. 7A-7C, the adapter 110, the control unit 130,and/or the faceplate 160 may be configured so as to be staggeredrelative to a surface of a structure to which the mechanical switch 170is installed, such as a wallboard surface that surrounds a wallbox inwhich the mechanical switch 170 is installed. For example, when theadapter is attached to the yoke 174 of the mechanical switch 170 and thecontrol unit 130 and the faceplate 160 are attached to the adapter 110,the rear surface 163 of the faceplate 160 may be spaced from the rearsurface 114 of the adapter 110 that abuts a structural surface (e.g.,wallboard surface) through a first distance D1 such that the faceplate160 is spaced from the structural surface. Additionally, the frontsurface 161 of the faceplate 160 may be spaced from the rear surface 163of the faceplate 160 through a second distance D2, and the outer surface144 of the control unit 130 is spaced from the front surface 161 of thefaceplate 160 through a third distance D3. As shown, the first distanceD1, the second distance D2, and the third distance D3 may besubstantially equal to each other. However it should be appreciated thatone or more of the adapter 110, the control unit 130, and/or thefaceplate 160 may be otherwise configured such that one or more of thefirst, second, and third distances D1, D2, D3 are different from eachother.

FIG. 9 depicts another example remote control device 200 that may beinstalled in a load control system, such as a lighting control system.The remote control device 200 may be installed, for example, in theabove-described load control system that includes the mechanical switch170. As shown, the example remote control device 200 may include anadapter 210, a control unit 230, and a faceplate 260. The control unit230 and the faceplate 260 may be constructed identically to the controlunit 130 and the faceplate 160, respectively, of the remote controldevice 100. The circuitry of the control unit 230 may be powered by abattery 280, for example as shown in FIG. 10C.

Prior to installation of the remote control device 200, a pre-existingfaceplate (not shown) may be removed from the mechanical switch 170, forinstance by removing faceplate screws (not shown) from correspondingfaceplate screw holes 176 in the yoke 174. The adapter 210 may be madeof any suitable material, such as plastic. The adapter 210 may beconfigured to be attached to the yoke 174 of the mechanical switch 170.For example, the adapter 210 may be secured to the yoke 174 usingfasteners, such as screws 211 that are installed into the faceplatescrew holes 176 in the yoke 174. As shown, the adapter 210 may define anopening 212 that extends therethrough. The opening 212 may be configuredto receive a portion of the mechanical switch 170 that may include, forexample, the actuator 172 and a bezel 173 that surrounds a perimeter ofthe actuator 172. The adapter 210 may define a rear surface 214 that isconfigured to abut a surface of a structure to which the mechanicalswitch 170 is installed, such as a wallboard surface that surrounds awallbox in which the mechanical switch 170 is installed.

The adapter 210 may be configured to enable removable attachment of thecontrol unit 230 to the adapter 110. For example, the adapter 210 maydefine one or more attachment members that are configured to engage withcomplementary features of the control unit 230. As shown, the adapter210 may define one or more resilient snap fit connectors 216 that areconfigured to engage with complementary features of the control unit230. The adapter 210 may be configured to enable removable attachment ofthe faceplate 260 to the adapter 210. For example, the adapter 210 maydefine one or more attachment members that are configured to engage withcomplementary features of the faceplate 260. As shown, the adapter 210may define one or more resilient snap fit connectors 218 that areconfigured to engage with complementary features of the faceplate 260.

As shown in 10A-10C, the adapter 210 may be configured to bias the rearsurface 214 of the adapter 210 against a surface of a structure to whichthe mechanical switch 170 is installed, such as a wallboard surface thatsurrounds a wallbox in which the mechanical switch 170 is installed. Forexample, as shown, the adapter 210 defines a pair of resilient biasingmembers 220 that are configured to bias the rear surface 214 of theadapter 210 against the surface of the structure as the biasing members220 are fastened to the yoke 174 of the mechanical switch 170. Eachbiasing member 220 includes a plate 222 that is suspended from theadapter 210 by resilient spring arms 224, such that the plate 222 isspaced outward relative to the rear surface 214 of the adapter 210. Eachplate 222 defines an aperture 226 that is configured to receive acorresponding one of the screws 211. As the adapter 210 is attached tothe yoke 174 of the mechanical switch 170, the screws 211 may pull theplates 222 toward the surface of the structure, which may cause thespring arms 224 to bias the rear surface 214 of the adapter 210 againstthe surface of the structure. In this regard, the adapter 210 mayoperate to compensate for abnormalities in the surface of the structure,such as unevenness for example.

FIGS. 11 and 12 depict another example remote control device 300 thatmay be installed in a load control system, such as a lighting controlsystem. The load control system may include a mechanical switch 370 thatmay be in place prior to installation of the remote control device 300,for example pre-existing in the load control system. As shown, themechanical switch 370 may be a standard single pole single throw (SPST)maintained switch. The load control system may further include one ormore electrical loads, such as lighting loads. The mechanical switch 370may be coupled in series electrical connection between an alternatingcurrent (AC) power source and the one or more electrical loads. Themechanical switch 370 may include an actuator 372 that may be actuatedto turn on and/or turn off, the one or more electrical loads. Themechanical switch 370 may include a yoke 374 that enables mounting ofthe mechanical switch 370 to a structure. For example, the yoke 374 maybe fastened to a single-gang wallbox that is installed in an opening ofa wall.

The load control system may further include a load control device thatis electrically connected to the one or more electrical loads. The loadcontrol device may include a load control circuit for controlling theintensity of one or more of the electrical loads between a low endintensity (e.g., approximately 1%) and a high-end intensity (e.g.,approximately 100%), and may include a wireless communication circuit.In an example implementation, the load control device may be astandalone dimmer switch that is electrically connected to the one ormore electrical loads. In another example implementation, each of theone more electrical loads may include a respective integrated loadcontrol circuit and wireless communication circuit, such that eachelectrical load includes a corresponding load control device that isconfigured for wireless communication. It should be appreciated that theload control system is not limited to the example load control devicesdescribed herein.

As shown, the example remote control device 300 may include an adapter310, a control unit 330, and a faceplate 360. The control unit 330 maybe constructed identically to the control units 130 and 230 of theremote control devices 100 and 200, respectively. The faceplate 360 maybe constructed similarly to the faceplate 160 the remote control device100. For example, the faceplate may define a front surface 361 and anopposed rear surface 363. However, the faceplate 360 may differ from thefaceplate 160 in that the faceplate 360 may define a thicker sideprofile than the faceplate 160, such that the front and rear surfaces361, 363 of the faceplate 360 are spaced further apart from each otherthan are the front and rear surfaces 161, 163 of the faceplate 160. Theadapter 310 may be constructed similarly to the adapter 110 of theremote control device 100. However, the adapter 310 may define a thickerside profile than the adapter 110.

Prior to installation of the remote control device 300, a pre-existingfaceplate (not shown) may be removed from the mechanical switch 370, forinstance by removing faceplate screws (not shown) from correspondingfaceplate screw holes 376 in the yoke 374. The adapter 310 may beconfigured to be attached to the yoke 374 of the mechanical switch 170.For example, the adapter 310 may be secured to the yoke 374 usingfasteners, such as screws 311 that are installed into the faceplatescrew holes 376 in the yoke 374. As shown, the adapter 310 may define anopening 312 that extends therethrough. The opening 312 may be configuredto receive a portion of the mechanical switch 370 that may include, forexample, the actuator 372 and a bezel 373 that surrounds a perimeter ofthe actuator 372. The adapter 310 may define a rear surface 314 that isconfigured to abut a surface of a structure to which the mechanicalswitch 370 is installed, such as a wallboard surface that surrounds awallbox in which the mechanical switch 370 is installed.

The adapter 310 may be configured to enable removable attachment of thecontrol unit 330 to the adapter 310. For example, the adapter 310 maydefine one or more attachment members that are configured to engage withcomplementary features of the control unit 330. As shown, the adapter310 may define one or more resilient snap fit connectors 316 that areconfigured to engage with complementary features of the control unit330. The adapter 310 may be configured to enable removable attachment ofthe faceplate 360 to the adapter 310. For example, the adapter 310 maydefine one or more attachment members that are configured to engage withcomplementary features of the faceplate 360. As shown, the adapter 310may define one or more resilient snap fit connectors 318 that areconfigured to engage with complementary features of the faceplate 360.

FIGS. 14 and 15 depict another example remote control device 400 thatmay be installed in a load control system, such as a lighting controlsystem. The remote control device 400 may be installed, for example, inthe above-described load control system that includes the mechanicalswitch 170, which may be referred to as a first mechanical switch, andthat further includes a second electrical device, such as a secondmechanical switch 470. The first and second mechanical switches 170, 470may be installed, for example, in a multi-gang wallbox (e.g., adouble-gang wallbox) that is installed in an opening of a wall. Itshould be appreciated that the second electrical device is not limitedto a second mechanical switch. For example, the second electrical devicecould alternatively be an electrical outlet, or another type ofelectrical device that is configured to be installed for use with afaceplate having a decorator style opening.

As shown, the example remote control device 400 may include an adapter410, a control unit 430, and a faceplate 460. The control unit 430 maybe constructed identically to the control units 130, 230, and 330 of theexample remote control devices 100, 200, and 300, respectively. Theadapter 410 and the faceplate 460 may be constructed similarly to theadapter 110 and the faceplate 160, with the below-described differencesin configuration for use in a double-gang implementation.

Prior to installation of the remote control device 400, a pre-existingfaceplate (not shown) may be removed from the first and secondmechanical switches 170, 470, for instance by removing faceplate screws(not shown) from corresponding faceplate screw holes 176, 476 in theyokes 174, 474 of the first and second mechanical switches 170, 470,respectively. The adapter 410 may be made of any suitable material, suchas plastic. The adapter 410 may be configured to be attached to the yoke174 of the first mechanical switch 170 and to the yoke 474 of the secondmechanical switch 470. For example, the adapter 410 may be secured tothe yokes 174, 474 using fasteners, such as screws 111 that areinstalled into the faceplate screw holes 176, 476 of the yokes 174, 474.

As shown, the adapter 410 may define first and second openings 412, 413that extend therethrough. The first and second openings 412, 413 may beconfigured to receive respective portions of the first and secondmechanical switches 170, 470 that may include, for example, theactuators 172, 472 and corresponding bezels 173, 473 that surroundrespective perimeters of the actuators 172, 472. The adapter 410 maydefine a rear surface 414 that is configured to abut a surface of astructure to which the first and second mechanical switches 170, 470 areinstalled, such as a wallboard surface that surrounds a double-gangwallbox in which the first and second mechanical switches 170, 470 areinstalled.

As shown in FIG. 16, the adapter 410 may be configured to enableremovable attachment of the control unit 430 to the adapter 410. Forexample, the adapter 410 may define one or more attachment members thatare configured to engage with complementary features of the control unit430. As shown, the adapter 410 may define one or more resilient snap fitconnectors 416 that are configured to engage with complementary featuresof the control unit 430. The illustrated adapter 410 is configured withsnap fit connectors 416 such that the control unit 430 may be attachedto the adapter over the first opening 412 or the second opening 413.Alternatively, two control units could be attached to the adapter 410,over the first and second openings 412, 413 respectively. The adapter410 may be configured to enable removable attachment of the faceplate460 to the adapter 410. For example, the adapter 410 may define one ormore attachment members that are configured to engage with complementaryfeatures of the faceplate 460. As shown, the adapter 410 may define oneor more resilient snap fit connectors 418 that are configured to engagewith complementary features of the faceplate 460.

The faceplate 460 may define a front surface 461 and an opposed rearsurface 463. The front surface 461 may alternatively be referred to asan outer surface of the faceplate 460, and the rear surface 463 mayalternatively be referred to as an inner surface of the faceplate 460.As shown in FIG. 17, the faceplate 460 may define respective first andsecond openings 462, 464 therethrough that are configured to receive aportion of the control unit 430, such that the control unit 430protrudes proud of the faceplate 460 when the remote control device 400is in an assembled configuration. As shown, the faceplate 460 may definerecessed ledges 465 that are configured to engage with correspondingones of the snap fit connectors 418 of the adapter 410, to releasablyattach the faceplate 460 to the adapter 410. The faceplate 460 may bemade of any suitable material, such as plastic. The faceplate 460 mayinclude a first shorting member 466 that is located along a lower edgeof the first opening 462 and a second shorting member 466 that islocated along a lower edge of the second opening 464. This may enablethe control unit 430 to determine an orientation of the control unit 430relative to the faceplate 460, and thereby an orientation of the controlunit 430 relative to the adapter 410, whether the control unit 430 isinstalled over the first or second openings 412, 413 of the adapter 410.

FIG. 18 illustrates the adapter 410 with the control unit 430 attachedthereto over the first opening 412, and thus over the first mechanicalswitch 170. Before installation of the remote control device 400, anoriginal installed position of the second mechanical switch 470 (e.g.,with the yoke 474 screwed to the double-gang wallbox) may cause theactuator 472 and the bezel 473 of the second mechanical switch 470 to berecessed relative to the front surface 461 of the faceplate 460.However, during attachment of the adapter 410 to the yoke 474 of thesecond mechanical switch 470, screws 475 that secure the yoke 474 to thedouble-gang wallbox may be loosened. With the screws 475 loosened, thescrews 411 that correspond to the second opening 413 may be tightened,which may draw the yoke 474 of the second mechanical switch 470 outwardrelative to the double-gang wallbox and toward a front surface of theadapter 410. The process of loosening the screws 475, followed bytightening the screws 411, may be repeated until the yoke 474 of thesecond mechanical switch 470 is moved outward sufficiently such that thebezel 473 is substantially flush with, or protrudes proud of, the frontsurface 461 of the faceplate 460 when the faceplate 460 is attached tothe adapter, for instance as shown in FIGS. 19B and 19C. In this regard,the adapter 410 may be configured to enable adjustment of the yokes 174,474 of the first and second mechanical switches 170, 470, respectively,toward and away from the double-gang wallbox, and toward or away fromthe front surface 461 of the faceplate 460.

FIGS. 21 and 22 depict another example remote control device 500 thatmay be installed in a load control system, such as a lighting controlsystem. The remote control device 500 may be installed, for example, inthe above-described load control system that includes the mechanicalswitch 370, which may be referred to as a first mechanical switch, andthat further includes a second electrical device, such as a secondmechanical switch 570. The first and second mechanical switches 370, 570may be installed, for example, in a double-gang wallbox that isinstalled in an opening of a wall. It should be appreciated that thesecond electrical device is not limited to a second mechanical switch.For example, the second electrical device could alternatively be anelectrical outlet, or another type of electrical device.

As shown, the example remote control device 500 may include an adapter510, a control unit 530, a faceplate 560, and one or more attachmentmembers 580. The control unit 530 may be constructed identically to thecontrol units 130, 230, 330, and 430 of the example remote controldevices 100, 200, 300, and 400, respectively. A mounting frame assemblymay be provided that includes, for example, the adapter 510 and one ormore attachment members 580.

As shown, the adapter 510 may define first and second openings 512, 513that extend therethrough. The adapter 510 may define a rear surface 514that is configured to abut a surface of a structure to which the firstand second mechanical switches 370, 570 are installed, such as awallboard surface that surrounds a double-gang wallbox in which thefirst and second mechanical switches 370, 570 are installed. The adapter510 may be configured to enable removable attachment of the faceplate560 to the adapter 510. For example, the adapter 510 may define one ormore attachment members that are configured to engage with complementaryfeatures of the faceplate 560. As shown, the adapter 510 may define oneor more resilient snap fit connectors 518 that are configured to engagewith complementary features of the faceplate 560. The adapter 510 may bemade of any suitable material, such as plastic.

Referring now to FIGS. 23A and 23B, the attachment members 580 may beconfigured as attachment brackets 582. As shown, each attachment bracket582 may have a “U” shaped body that defines a plate 584 that is elongatebetween opposed ends, and a pair of legs 586 that extend perpendicularto the plate 584 from the ends thereof. The plate 584 of each attachmentbracket 582 may define a first abutment surface 581 and an opposedsecond abutment surface 583. The first and second abutment surfaces 581,583 may be referred to as yoke abutment surfaces. The plate 584 of eachmay define an aperture 588 that extends therethrough, and that isconfigured to receive a fastener, such as a screw 589.

As shown, the legs 586 of each attachment bracket 582 may define one ormore snap fit connectors 590 at free ends of the legs 586. Additionally,each leg 586 of each attachment bracket 582 may define a resilient,deflectable cantilevered beam 592 that extends from the free end of the586 toward the plate 584. Each beam 592 may define a snap fit connector594 at a free end thereof. The snap fit connectors 590 and 594 mayenable releasable attachment of the attachment brackets 582 to theadapter 510.

Referring now to FIG. 24, the adapter 510 may be configured to enableinstallation of one or more attachment brackets 582 into the adapter510. For example, as shown, the first opening 512 of the adapter 510defines three pairs of recesses 516 that extend into opposed sides ofthe first opening 512, and the second opening 513 of the adapter 510similarly defines three pairs of recesses 516 that extend into opposedsides of the second opening 513. Each recess 516 may define an opening517 that is configured to receive and engage with a complementaryattachment feature of an attachment bracket 582, such as the snap fitconnectors 590 of an attachment bracket 582 or the snap fit connectors594 of an attachment bracket 582.

The illustrated configuration of the attachment brackets 582 may enablethe attachment brackets 582 to be installed into the adapter 510 inrespective first and second orientations. For example, as shown in FIG.25, a first pair of attachment brackets 582 are installed in the firstopening 512 of the adapter 510 in accordance with the first installedorientation. When installed into an opening of the adapter 510 in thefirst orientation, the snap fit connectors 594 of an attachment bracketmay be received in, and engage within, the openings 517 of correspondingrecesses 516 of the opening. When installed in the first orientation,the plate 584 of an attachment bracket 582 may be disposed near the rearsurface 514 of the adapter, with the first abutment surface 581 facingtoward the first and second mechanical switches 370, 570 and the secondabutment surface 583 facing outward.

Further as shown in FIG. 25, a second pair of attachment brackets 582are installed in the second opening 513 of the adapter 510 in accordancewith the second installed orientation. When installed into an opening ofthe adapter 510 in the second orientation, the snap fit connectors 590of an attachment bracket may be received in, and engage within, theopenings 517 of corresponding recesses 516 of the opening. Wheninstalled in the second orientation, the plate 584 of an attachmentbracket 582 may be spaced from the rear surface 514 of the adapter, withthe first abutment surface 581 facing outward and the second abutmentsurface 583 facing toward the first and second mechanical switches 370,570.

The faceplate 560 may define a front surface 561 and an opposed rearsurface 563. The front surface 561 may alternatively be referred to asan outer surface of the faceplate 560, and the rear surface 563 mayalternatively be referred to as an inner surface of the faceplate 560.As shown in FIG. 22, the faceplate 560 may define respective a firstopening 562 therethrough that is configured to receive a portion of thecontrol unit 530, such that the control unit 530 protrudes proud of thefaceplate 560 when the remote control device 500 is in an assembledconfiguration, and may define a second opening 564 therethrough that isconfigured to receive at least a portion of the second mechanical switch570, such as the actuator 572 and the bezel 573. In an alternativeconfiguration of the faceplate 560 (not shown), the second opening maybe configured similarly to the first opening 562, and the faceplate 560may further include a removable insert that snaps into the secondopening 564, and that defines a smaller opening therethrough that isconfigured to receive the actuator 572 and the bezel 573 of the secondmechanical switch 570.

The faceplate 560 may define recessed ledges (not shown), which may beconfigured similarly to the recessed 465 of the faceplate 460, and thatare configured to engage with corresponding ones of the snap fitconnectors 518 of the adapter 510, to releasably attach the faceplate560 to the adapter 510. The faceplate 560 may be made of any suitablematerial, such as plastic. The faceplate 560 may include a shortingmember (not shown), which may be configured similarly to the shortingmembers 466 of the faceplate 460, and that is located along a lower edgeof the first opening 562. This may enable the control unit 530 todetermine an orientation of the control unit 530 relative to thefaceplate 560, and thereby an orientation of the control unit 530relative to the adapter 510.

Prior to installation of the remote control device 500, a pre-existingfaceplate (not shown) may be removed from the first and secondmechanical switches 370, 570, for instance by removing faceplate screws(not shown) from corresponding faceplate screw holes 376, 576 in theyokes 374, 574 of the first and second mechanical switches 370, 570,respectively. The adapter 510 may be configured to be attached to theyoke 374 of the first mechanical switch 370 and to the yoke 574 of thesecond mechanical switch 570, for instance via the attachment brackets582. For example, the adapter 510 may be secured to the yokes 374, 574by driving the screws 589 of the attachment brackets 582 into thefaceplate screw holes 376, 576 of the yokes 374, 574.

FIGS. 26A and 26B illustrate the adapter 510 with the control unit 530attached thereto over the first opening 512, and thus over the firstmechanical switch 370. The control unit 530 may be attached to theadapter 510 by snapping the control unit 530 onto the snap fitconnectors 590 of the attachment brackets 582 installed in the firstopening 512. Before installation of the remote control device 500, anoriginal installed position of the second mechanical switch 570 (e.g.,with the yoke 574 screwed to the double-gang wallbox) may cause theactuator 572 and the bezel 573 of the second mechanical switch 570 to berecessed relative to the front surface 561 of the faceplate 560.However, during attachment of the adapter 510 to the yoke 574 of thesecond mechanical switch 570, screws 575 that secure the yoke 574 to thedouble-gang wallbox may be loosened. With the screws 575 loosened, thescrews 589 of the attachment brackets 582 that are installed in thesecond opening 513 of the adapter 510 may be tightened, which may drawthe yoke 574 of the second mechanical switch 570 outward relative to thedouble-gang wallbox and toward a front surface of the adapter 510. Theprocess of loosening the screws 575, followed by tightening the screws589, may be repeated until the yoke 574 of the second mechanical switch570 is moved outward sufficiently such that the bezel 573 issubstantially flush with, or protrudes proud of, the front surface 561of the faceplate 560 when the faceplate 560 is attached to the adapter,for instance as shown in FIGS. 27B and 27C. In this regard, the adapter510 may be configured to enable adjustment of the yokes 374, 574 of thefirst and second mechanical switches 370, 570, respectively, toward andaway from the double-gang wallbox, and toward or away from the frontsurface 561 of the faceplate 560.

It should be appreciated that the example remote control devices 100,200, 300, 400, and 500 illustrated and described herein may provide asimple retrofit solution for an existing switched control system, andmay ease the installation of a load control system or enhance anexisting load control system installation. A load control system thatintegrates one or more remote control devices 100, 200, 300, 400, or 500may provide energy savings and/or advanced control features, for examplewithout requiring any electrical re-wiring and/or without requiring thereplacement of any existing mechanical switches.

It should further be appreciated that load control systems into whichthe example remote control devices 100, 200, 300, 400, and 500 may beintegrated are not limited to the example load control devices and/orelectrical loads described above. For example, load control systems intowhich the remote control devices 100, 200, 300, 400, and 500 may beintegrated may include one or more of: a dimming ballast for driving agas-discharge lamp; a light-emitting diode (LED) driver for driving anLED light source; a dimming circuit for controlling the intensity of alighting load; a screw-in luminaire including a dimmer circuit and anincandescent or halogen lamp; a screw-in luminaire including a ballastand a compact fluorescent lamp; a screw-in luminaire including an LEDdriver and an LED light source; an electronic switch, controllablecircuit breaker, or other switching device for turning an appliance onand off; a plug-in load control device, controllable electricalreceptacle, or controllable power strip for controlling one or moreplug-in loads; a motor control unit for controlling a motor load, suchas a ceiling fan or an exhaust fan; a drive unit for controlling amotorized window treatment or a projection screen; one or more motorizedinterior and/or exterior shutters; a thermostat for a heating and/orcooling system; a temperature control device for controlling a setpointtemperature of a heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC)system; an air conditioner; a compressor; an electric baseboard heatercontroller; a controllable damper; a variable air volume controller; afresh air intake controller; a ventilation controller; hydraulic valvesfor use in one or more radiators of a radiant heating system; a humiditycontrol unit; a humidifier; a dehumidifier; a water heater; a boilercontroller; a pool pump; a refrigerator; a freezer; a television and/orcomputer monitor; a video camera; an audio system or amplifier; anelevator; a power supply; a generator; an electric charger, such as anelectric vehicle charger; an alternative energy controller; and thelike.

1. A remote control device that is configured for use in a load controlsystem for controlling an electrical load that is electrically connectedto the load control device, the remote control device comprising: anadapter that is configured to be attached to a first yoke of a firstelectrical device, the adapter defining first and second openings; acontrol unit that is configured to be attached to the adapter, thecontrol unit including a user interface and a wireless communicationcircuit, the control unit configured to transmit a control signal forcontrolling the electrical load via the wireless communication circuit;a faceplate that is configured to be attached to the adapter, thefaceplate having an opening that is configured to receive at least aportion of the user interface; and an attachment member that isconfigured to be installed into the adapter in the first opening or thesecond opening in respective first or second orientations, and that isfurther configured to attach to the first yoke of the first electricaldevice or a second yoke of a second electrical device, wherein theattachment member comprises a yoke abutment surface that is spaced afirst distance from a rear surface of the adapter when the attachmentmember is installed in the adapter in the first orientation, and that isspaced a second distance from the rear surface of the adapter when theattachment member is installed in the adapter in the second orientation,and wherein when the first electrical device is mounted in a multi-gangwallbox adjacent to the second electrical device, the first opening isconfigured to surround a bezel of the first electrical device and thesecond opening is configured to surround a portion of the secondelectrical device.
 2. The remote control device of claim 1, wherein theattachment member comprises a bracket that defines a plate that iselongate between opposed ends and a pair of legs that extendperpendicular from the ends of the plate.
 3. The remote control deviceof claim 1, wherein the adapter is further configured to be attached tothe second yoke.
 4. The remote control device of claim 1, wherein theadapter is configured to enable adjustment of the first and secondyokes, respectively, toward and away from the wallbox.
 5. The remotecontrol device of claim 2, wherein the plate defines the yoke abutmentsurface.
 6. The remote control device of claim 1, wherein the attachmentmember is a first attachment member, the remote control device furthercomprising a second attachment member that is configured to be installedin the adapter in the same opening and in the same orientation as thefirst attachment member.
 7. The remote control device of claim 1,wherein when the control unit and the faceplate are attached to theadapter: a rear surface of the faceplate is spaced from a rear surfaceof the adapter that abuts a structural surface through a first distance;a front surface of the faceplate is spaced from rear surface of thefaceplate through a second distance; and an outer surface of the controlunit is spaced from the front surface of the faceplate through a thirddistance.
 8. The remote control device of claim 8, wherein the firstdistance, the second distance, and the third distance are equal to eachother.
 9. The remote control device of claim 1, wherein when thefaceplate is attached to the adapter, the faceplate is spaced from asurface of a structure to which the first electrical device is mounted.10. The remote control device of claim 1, wherein the control unit isremovably attachable to the adapter.
 11. The remote control device ofclaim 1, wherein the control unit defines a recess that is configured toreceive a portion of a toggle of the first electrical device when thecontrol unit is attached to the adapter.
 12. The remote control deviceof claim 1, wherein the user interface comprises a capacitive touchinterface.